“In time of war the laws are silent.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“In time of war the laws are silent.”
Explanation
Cicero acknowledges a grim reality: during times of war and extreme crisis, normal legal and moral constraints are often ignored or suspended. The rule of law, which governs civilized society, tends to be overwhelmed by the urgency, violence, and survival instincts of warfare. This statement is not necessarily an endorsement of such silence, but a recognition of the breakdown of legal norms when confronted by existential threats.
The quote originates from Cicero’s Pro Milone, a defense speech in which he argued that self-defense, especially in life-or-death situations, overrides legal formalities. He implies that when lives and the state itself are at stake, necessity may justify actions that would otherwise be illegal. Still, this acknowledgment is made with a tone of caution, as Cicero deeply valued justice, order, and republican law.
In the modern context, this quote is often cited in debates about emergency powers, wartime actions, and civil liberties during crises. While it captures the tension between law and necessity, it also serves as a warning: if laws fall silent too easily, so may justice and humanity. Cicero reminds us that even in war, we must strive to uphold the principles of law, lest the very foundations of society be eroded by the chaos of conflict.
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